In Gaza, the Israeli offensive has not only destroyed buildings but also trees and orchards…

In Gaza, the Israeli offensive has not only destroyed buildings but also trees and orchards vital for the bees of Sameh Al Aqad. After months away from his hives, Al Aqad is now rebuilding them with limited resources, aiming to repopulate them with bees he considers integral to his life.

Before the conflict escalated in October 2023, Al Aqad managed 100 hives on a small plot in Khan Younis. He was forced to leave due to Israeli bombings, and upon returning over a year later, during a ceasefire in January 2025, he found that only two hives had survived the destruction.